Support Children in the Philippines

Two months ago on December 16, 2011, Tropical Storm Washi, (locally known as ‘Sendong’) flooded northern Mindanao and affected approximately 624,600 people, out of whom 283,000 remain displaced and some 1,021 are still missing. As of February 24, 2012, some 1,769 families (7,438 individuals) are still in 22 evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro, while 18 evacuation centers containing 1,569 families (5,670) individuals are in Iligan City.  Some 34,955 families are living with host families outside the evacuation centers.

An estimated 8,559 families in Cagayan de Oro and 5,226 families in Iligan are still in dire need of housing. Although the construction of permanent homes has begun in both cities, many families will have to wait at least 6-12 months for the completion of their homes.

However, progress has been made.  A few highlights demonstrating the impact of donations to UNICEF follow: 

• The majority of the school population has returned to classes, with elementary schools leading with a combined average attendance rate of 88%. For high school students, the rate is 74%.
  
  
• 7,483 additional elementary students from eight schools are expected to benefit from an extension of the emergency school-feeding program. 
  
  
• A total of 10,336 children aged 6-59 months have been screened for malnutrition.
  
  
• A total of 10,134 children have received micronutrient powders.
  
  
• Infant and Young Child Feeding counseling through breastfeeding tents in evacuation centers has reached more than 2,758 pregnant and lactating mothers.
  
  
• Progress on semi-permanent toilets, in the evacuation centers and transitional sites is ongoing. 186 have been completed and 114 are ongoing, benefitting some 9,425 individuals. 

There is still much progress to be made.  However, without the generous support received from donors to UNICEF the progress made to date, benefiting thousands of children and family members in northern Mindanao, Philippines, could not have occurred.